Macramé · Knot reference

Macramé knots — step-by-step guide

Every knot a beginner needs, with clear step-by-step instructions, tips for keeping them even, and which projects each one appears in.

J Jo King

See all knots in close-up video

Knot	Difficulty	Used for
Lark's head knot	Beginner	Mounting cords on a dowel or ring
Square knot	Beginner	The foundation knot — creates flat woven texture
Half square knot (spiral)	Beginner	Creates a decorative spiral twist column
Half hitch	Beginner–intermediate	Creating diagonal and horizontal pattern lines
Gathering knot (wrapping knot)	Beginner	Bundling cords together into a column
Alternating square knots	Beginner–intermediate	Creating net/mesh patterns across multiple cords

Lark's head knot

Beginner

1
Fold a length of cord in half to find the midpoint.
2
Push the folded loop up through the dowel from behind.
3
Pull the two tails down through the loop.
4
Pull firmly to snug the knot against the dowel.

Tip: For a reversed lark's head (also common), push the loop down over the front of the dowel instead of up through the back.

Used in: All projects — this is always your starting knot

Square knot

Beginner

1
Work with 4 cords: 2 outer working cords and 2 inner filler cords.
2
Take the left working cord and cross it over the two fillers, then under the right working cord.
3
Take the right working cord, pass it under the fillers and up through the left cord's loop.
4
Pull both working cords to tighten — this is the first half.
5
Repeat in reverse: right cord over fillers, under left; left cord under fillers, up through loop.
6
Pull tight. Both halves together make one complete square knot.

Tip: Keep filler cords taut by taping or pinning them. Loose fillers cause uneven knots. A consistent pull distance from the knot above produces even spacing.

Used in: Plant hangers · Wall hangings · Bags and baskets · Keychains

Half square knot (spiral)

Beginner

1
Set up 4 cords as for the square knot.
2
Tie only the first half of the square knot (left over, right up through).
3
Continue tying the same half-knot in the same direction — never alternating.
4
The column will naturally twist as you work downward.
5
Continue until you reach the desired length.

Tip: The spiral direction depends on which half-knot you start with. Left-start = left spiral. Right-start = right spiral. Consistent tension is especially important here to keep the twist uniform.

Used in: Plant hangers · Wall hanging columns · Decorative panels

Half hitch

Beginner–intermediate

1
Identify your working cord (the one moving) and your filler cord (the one held taut).
2
Hold the filler cord diagonally or horizontally in your non-dominant hand.
3
Loop the working cord up and over the filler, then through the loop it creates.
4
Pull tight. This is one half hitch.
5
For a double half hitch (the standard), repeat the motion with the same working cord immediately — two loops on the filler.

Tip: Keep your filler cord at the angle you want your line to follow — the knots will track that angle. Diagonal lines are made by changing the filler cord angle. Switching between left-diagonal and right-diagonal creates V or diamond patterns.

Used in: Wall hangings · Pattern panels · Advanced plant hangers

Gathering knot (wrapping knot)

Beginner

1
Take a separate length of cord (longer than you think you need).
2
Hold all the cords you want to bundle together in a group.
3
Fold the wrapping cord into a U-shape alongside the bundle, one end pointing up, one pointing down.
4
Starting at the top of the U, wrap the long end firmly around all cords, working downward.
5
Wrap 6–12 times (depending on desired length), keeping each wrap snug against the one above.
6
Thread the working end through the loop left at the bottom of the U.
7
Pull the upper tail upward until the bottom loop disappears inside the wrapping. Trim both tails.

Tip: The U-shape at the start is the mechanism that allows you to hide the tail inside the wrapping. Don't skip this step or you'll have no way to secure the end invisibly.

Used in: Plant hanger crown and base · Wall hanging tops · Tassel tops

Alternating square knots

Beginner–intermediate

1
Tie a row of square knots across all your cords (using groups of 4).
2
For the next row, shift by 2 cords — skip the first 2, then group the next 4, and so on.
3
Tie square knots across the second row.
4
Continue alternating — each row shifts 2 cords from the one above.
5
The result is an open diamond/net pattern.

Tip: Leave a measured gap between each row (use a ruler or spacer) for consistent diamond sizing. The gap determines how open or tight the net looks.

Used in: Wall hangings · Bags and totes · Plant holder nets

Macramé for beginners

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Macramé knots

FAQs

Everything you need to know before you book.

What is the most important macramé knot?

The square knot — it's the foundation of most macramé patterns and the knot that defines the characteristic woven texture. Once you can tie a square knot consistently with even tension, you can make plant hangers and basic wall hangings. Master this one before anything else.

What is the difference between a square knot and a half hitch?

A square knot ties two working cords around two filler cords to create a flat knot. A half hitch ties one working cord around one or more filler cords — used for diagonal and horizontal pattern lines. Both are essential, but the square knot comes first for beginners.

How do you keep macramé knots even?

Consistent tension is the key — and it comes with practice, not technique. Working on a rack or hanging your project while you knot (rather than knotting flat on a table) helps enormously. Measuring your working cords all to the same length before you start prevents uneven tails. A tension board or foam mat can help for smaller pieces.

What is a gathering knot used for in macramé?

A gathering knot (also called a wrapping knot) bundles multiple cords together into a tight column. It's used at the top of plant hangers to create the crown, and at the end to bundle cord tails. It's made by wrapping one long cord around all the others and securing the end through the resulting loop.